RED CROSS FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1916, Page 3

RED CROSS FUNDS.

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE AT (WELLINGTON. • A conference, over which her Excellency of Countess of Liverpool presided, was held in the Town Hall, Wellington, on March 1, by kind permission of his Worship the Mayor, at which the Countess of Liverpool Fund, the Auckland Women's Patriotic League, the Otago Women's Patriotic Association, and other kindred funds were represented. The following is a list of the delegates who were present:—Auckland: Mrs. Gunson, Mayoress, Miss Spedding (Hon. Sec. Women's Patriotic League), Miss Veale, Mrs. Gane (Cambridge), Wellington: Mrs. J. P. Luke, Mayoress, Mrs, Alec. Crawford, Hon. SocJ Mrs. J. Findlay, Hon. Treas., Mrs. Tripp, Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Simpson (Hunterrille) Mrs. J. Studholme (Taihape) Mrs. Crump (Onslow) Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Brice (Wadestown) Mrs. W. Mitrtin (Martinborough), Mrs. Kirk (Gisborne), Mrs. A. Atkinson (Hawera) Mesdames Kenderdinc and McKine (Taumaranui) Mesdames Coradine and Casslberg and Miss McKenzie (Mastcrton) Miss Risk (Raetihi) Lady Muriel Deck' (Waipawa) Mrs. Richer (Levin) Mrs. Purdy (Pahiatua), Mrs. Dymock (Stratford), Countess of Glasgow (Waipukurau), Mrs. Bill and Milne (Marton), Mrs. Homsby and Mrs. Murray (Carterton), Mrs. McCaw, Miss Stuart Forbes (Lower Hutt), Miss R. Hicks (Okaiawa), Mrs. W. Nathan (Wsv'orley), Mrs. Bigg (Patea), Mesdames Mackay, Williams and Suisted (Wanganui), Mesdames W. Barton, G. Donald. Miss Card (Featherston), Mesdames Hart, Fitzherbert, Miss Luckie (Hastings), Mrs. Burgess (New Plymouth), Mrs. Feltham (Oliakune), Mrs. Nash (Pnlmerston North), Mrs Luke (North Taranaki). Canterbury: Christehurch, Mrs. Holland (Mayoress), Mrs. Neville, Mrs. Chilton. Mrs. . Way, Mrs. Newman: Spreydon. Mrs. Winson (Mayoress). Miss Woodficld: Nelson, Mrs. Lock, Mrs. A. Crawford; Blenheim, Mrs. Corry (Mayoress), Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Duncan; Westport, Mrs. Leaver (Mayoress); Springfield, Miss Popple; Geraldine, Mrs. Hislop (Mayoress); Waimatc. Mrs. Norton Francis; Loeston, Mrs. Grigg; Timaru, Mrs. Hacon. Otago: Dunedin, Miss Downio Stuart. Maori soldier?: Mrs. Pomare.

Mrs. Holland (Christehurch) proposed. Miss Luckie seconded that, if practicable, an arrangement should be made for a Dominion gift of comforts consisting of a uniform parcel for general distribution for the men at the front. This was carried unanimously after considerable discussion.

A number of reports from various leagues wore received on this subject, including those from Mrs. Coradine (Masterton). Miss Luckie and Mrs. Fitzherbert (Hastings), and Mrs. Corry, Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Duncan (Blenheim). It was proposed by Miss Spending (Auckland), seconded by Mrs. W. Nathan, that a committee of the Mayoresses and secretaries of the four centres' with her Excellency as President should be formed to decide on the contents of the Dominion parcel.—Carried. Proposed by Mrs. Lock, seconded by Miss Luckie, that North and South Island ■ should do this woi'k alternately month about. Miss Spedding moved, Mrs. Hornsby seconded, as an amendment that the four centres should each provide a quarter monthly. The amendment was carried. Mrs. Luke (Wellington), reported having received a letter from Mr. Bernard Tripp, of Timeru, in which he offers to go to Egypt at his own expense to supervise the distribution of Dominion gifts to New Zealand troops. The Countess of Glasgow (Waipukurau) proposed and Mrs. Way (Christchureh) seconded, that Mr. Bernard Tripp he assured that this committee highly appreciate his generous offer. The motion was carried. Mrs. J. P. Luke (Wellington) proposed, Miss Spedding (Auckland) seconded, that each centre,should assist in money or kind in supplying transports with fruit, cake, books, games, gramaphones, etc., and the Wellington Committee control the supplies. The motion was carried.

Mrs. Holland (C'hristchurch) proposed, Mrs. Crawford (Nelson) seconded, that all appeals for gifts and all gift parcels go through the four centre- Mrs. Gunson (Auckland), speaking in suon"" of the motion, pointed out the laet *l»i complete affiliation with the cmin'ry districts would be a source ot imn»">-,e strength to each centre. Carried unanimously. Mrs. Holland brought before the notice of the Conference the fact that outgoing parcels to country districts of material, etc., were charged railage, although incoming parcels were carried free ana enquired if any rebate was possible. Miss Downie Stewart (Dunedin), confirmed Mrs. Holland's statement and said thai official information had been obtn.ir.wl to the effect that the charge was inevitable. Miss Spedding (Auckland) suggested that in order to increase interest, and supply of knitted comforts, that a Dominion contest should be held according to the terms of circular distributed. After considerable discussion, it was decided that it should be left to the will of each centre as a Dominion contest at present was deemed unsuitable. Mrs. Luke (Wellington) called the attention of the Conference to the fact that wool could bo purchased by contract, thereby reducing the price to the patriotic worker. A number of reports, were received from various leagues as to the methods and contents of parcels distributed as parting gifts. A somewhat lengthy discussion followed at to the advisability of continuing this form of gift, but it was decided to make no rule as the smaller leagues pointed out that it had been so much approved that it would be difficult to abandon it. During the afternoon it was announced to the parcel to be sent as a Dominion gK,t should be of the value of 2s (id, containing any of the following articlesi Sardines, sal'non, anchovy, extract of meat, Bovril, curry powder, Keating's, glaxo, soup tablets, cocoa, cornflower, soap, writing paper, and sanitary paper. A question was asked re variation of housewives, and Mrs. Luke pointed cut that this was impossible as the stock pattern has been contracted for. A vote of thanks to her Kxeelloncy, the Countess of Liverpool for presiding at the Conference, was proposed by Mrs. Massey, seconded by Lady Ward, and carried with acclamation.